The first tears of self-pity came welling up, and without warning a great sob burst out of her.

Alarmed at the sound, she smothered her mouth with her arm.

No good; they came breaking out! A door opened; all the blood rushed to her heart and away from it, and with a little dreadful gurgle she was silent.

Some one was listening.

How long that terrible listening lasted she had no idea; then footsteps, and she was conscious that it was standing in the dark behind her.